Multi-layer encapsulation system for joint sealing of vacuum insulated cabinets

ABSTRACT

An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a channel that receives at least one of a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner edge of the inner liner, and a composite encapsulation system that hermetically seals an insulating cavity defined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner. The composite encapsulation system includes a base adhesive and an outer adhesive, wherein the base adhesive defines a structural adhesive component and the outer adhesive defines a sealing adhesive component.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of insulation structures for appliances, andmore specifically, a multi-layer encapsulation system for joint sealingwithin a vacuum insulated structure.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, an appliance includes an outer wrapper, an innerliner, a trim breaker having a channel that receives at least one of awrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner edge of the inner liner,and a composite encapsulation system that hermetically seals aninsulating cavity defined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner.The composite encapsulation system includes a base adhesive and an outeradhesive, wherein each of the base and outer adhesives define astructural component and a sealing component.

In at least another aspect, a method for forming an insulating cabinetfor an appliance includes steps of delivering a base adhesive in anuncured state into a channel of a trim breaker. A wrapper edge of anouter wrapper is disposed into the channel so that the base adhesive inthe uncured state surrounds both sides of the wrapper edge within thechannel. A liner edge of an inner liner is disposed into the channel sothat the adhesive base in the uncured state surrounds both sides of theliner edge within the channel. The base adhesive is cured. An outeradhesive is then disposed over the base adhesive. The outer adhesivecovers the base adhesive and engages the outer wrapper and inner linerat the trim breaker. The outer adhesive is then cured. Once cured, thebase adhesive and outer adhesive cooperate to define structural andsealing components of the composite encapsulation system.

In at least another aspect, a method for forming an insulating cabinetfor an appliance includes steps of delivering a base adhesive in anuncured state into a wrapper channel and a liner channel of a trimbreaker. A liner edge of an inner liner is disposed into the linerchannel so that the base adhesive in the uncured state surrounds bothsides of the liner edge within the liner channel. A wrapper edge of anouter wrapper is disposed into the wrapper channel so that the baseadhesive in the uncured state surrounds both sides of the wrapper edgewithin the wrapper channel. The base adhesive is cured to define astructural adhesive component. A medial buffer layer is disposed onto atleast a portion of the cured base adhesive. An outer adhesive isdisposed over the medial buffer layer, wherein the outer adhesiveextends from an outer edge of the trim breaker to an outside surface ofthe outer wrapper and also extends from an inner edge of the trimbreaker to an inside surface of the inner liner. The outer adhesive iscured to define a composite encapsulation system having the baseadhesive and the outer adhesive that define structural and sealingcomponents, wherein the base adhesive and the outer adhesive areseparated by the medial buffer layer.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance having a cabinet thatincorporates an aspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cabinet incorporating anaspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system;

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic cross-sectional view of an appliancecabinet incorporating an aspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the schematic appliance cabinet ofFIG. 2, taken along line IV-IV, and illustrating a process forevacuating gas from an insulating cavity of the cabinet;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a trim breaker receiving a base adhesivein an uncured state as part of the process for forming the multi-layerencapsulation system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the trim-breaker of FIG. 5showing the inner liner and outer wrapper being disposed within the baseadhesive in the uncured state;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the trim breaker of FIG. 6 andshowing the medial buffer layer disposed onto the base adhesive;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the trim breaker of FIG. 7 andshowing the outer adhesive disposed over the medial buffer layer;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner liner and outerwrapper being disposed within an aspect of the trim breaker for creatingthe multi-layer encapsulation system;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cabinet of FIG. 9 and showingthe multi-layer encapsulation system for securing the inner liner andouter wrapper to the trim breaker;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for forming aninsulating cabinet for an appliance; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for forming aninsulating cabinet for an appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it isto be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally refers to amulti-layer encapsulation system that is disposed within a channel 12 ofa trim breaker 14 for securing an inner liner 16 and an outer wrapper 18to the trim breaker 14 for forming a structural cabinet 20 for anappliance 22. According to the various embodiments, the appliance 22 caninclude the inner liner 16 and the outer wrapper 18. The trim breaker 14includes the channel 12 that receives at least one of the liner edge 24of the inner liner 16 and the wrapper edge 26 of the outer wrapper 18. Acomposite encapsulation system 10 is included that hermetically seals aninsulating cavity 28 defined between the outer wrapper 18 and the innerliner 16. The composite encapsulation system 10 includes a base adhesive30 and an outer adhesive 32. The base and outer adhesive 30, 32 eachdefine, respectively, structural adhesive components and sealingadhesive components. According to various aspects of the device, thebase and outer adhesives 30, 32 are separated by a medial buffer layer34. The medial buffer layer 34 is adapted to prevent direct contactbetween the base and the outer adhesives 30, 32. Accordingly, it iscontemplated that the outer adhesive 32 is injected, poured, sprayed orotherwise disposed over the medial buffer layer 34 to be physicallyseparated from direct contact with the base adhesive 30 by the medialbuffer layer 34.

The medial buffer layer 34 that is included within aspects of thecomposite encapsulation system 10 is typically included where the baseadhesive 30 and outer adhesive 32 have chemical compositions that arenot compatible in the event of direct contact. In such an embodiment,the chemical make-up of the base adhesive 30 may react negatively withthe outer adhesive 32, and/or vice versa. In order to prevent thisnegative deterioration of either of the base or outer adhesives 32, themedial buffer layer 34 is included to prevent this physical contact. Theinclusion of the medial buffer layer 34 allows for the use of a widerange of adhesives and/or sealing materials that may not otherwise beable to be used due to incompatible chemistries of the variousmaterials. Additionally, the medial buffer layer 34 may also provideadditional resistance to permeability for the entire compositeencapsulation system 10, while also preventing negative chemicalreactions between the base adhesive 30 and outer adhesive 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, it is contemplated that the channel 12 caninclude a wrapper channel 42 that receives the liner edge 24 of theinner liner 16. The channel 12 can also include a separate wrapperchannel 42 that is adapted to receive the wrapper edge 26 of the outerwrapper 18. In various alternative aspects, it is contemplated that thetrim breaker 14 can include a single channel 12 that receives both thewrapper edge 26 of the outer wrapper 18 and the liner edge 24 of theinner liner 16. In these various embodiments, it is contemplated thatthe inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18 are disposed within the channel12 while the base adhesive 30 is in a substantially viscous and uncuredstate 44. In this manner, the base adhesive 30 has a sufficientviscosity to form around the wrapper edge 26 and the liner edge 24 suchthat the base adhesive 30 engages both sides 46 of the inner liner 16and outer wrapper 18. Accordingly, the base adhesive 30 occupies atleast a portion of the insulating cavity 28 between the inner liner 16and the outer wrapper 18. This surrounding engagement provides a robustengagement of the base adhesive 30 with the inner liner 16 and outerwrapper 18. The outer adhesive 32 can then be applied over the baseadhesive 30. Typically, the outer adhesive 32 is applied after the baseadhesive 30 defines a cured state 48. Typically, the base adhesive 30forms a structural adhesive component for the composite encapsulationsystem 10. After the outer adhesive 32 cures, the outer adhesive 32 candefine a sealing adhesive component of the composite encapsulationsystem 10. Additionally, the outer adhesive 32 can provide an additionalstructural component to provide a more robust attachment between thetrim breaker 14 and the inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18. It shouldbe understood that the base and outer adhesives 30, 32 can each providestructural and sealing functionality to the composite encapsulationsystem 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-8, the medial buffer layer 34 can be in theform of a solid member that is disposed over the base adhesive 30, whichis, typically, in the cured state 48. It is also contemplated that themedial buffer layer 34 can be a spray-type material that is disposedover the base adhesive 30 in the cured state 48. In this manner, thebase adhesive 30 is adapted to engage a lower surface 60 of the medialbuffer layer 34. Depending upon the nature of the medial buffer layer 34and the state (cured state 48 or uncured state 44) of the base adhesive30, the base adhesive 30 may bond to the lower surface 60 of the medialbuffer layer 34. Alternatively, the medial buffer layer 34 may restupon, in a substantially surface-type engagement with, the base adhesive30. The outer adhesive 32 is then applied to the upper surface 62 of themedial buffer layer 34 such that the outer adhesive 32 bonds, adheresto, or otherwise engages the upper surface 62 of the medial buffer layer34 to define the composite encapsulation system 10. Once the baseadhesive 30 and the outer adhesive 32 are in the cured state 48, thebase adhesive 30, the medial buffer layer 34 and the outer adhesive 32cooperatively define the composite encapsulation system 10 that providesa substantially monolithic adhesive having an increased resistance topermeability of gas 72 and vapor over that of each of the individualcomponents by themselves.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-8, it is contemplated that the elastic basecan be an epoxy-type adhesive. The base adhesive 30, which is typicallyelastic, can also be in the form of other adhesives that can include,but are not limited to, acrylics, cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes,silicones, hybrids or combinations thereof, and other similar adhesivesthat may have a good barrier performance to block gas 72 (such asoxygen) and water vapor from permeating therethrough. This base adhesive30 is adapted to encapsulate the plastic and metal joint area of thetrim breaker 14 and inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18 and providehermetic sealing for the vacuum structure. The base adhesive 30 alsoprovides a robust bond strength between the plastic of the trim breaker14 and the metals of the outer wrapper 18 and/or the inner liner 16.

As discussed above, the medial buffer layer 34 could be a solid memberthat is placed on top of the base adhesive 30. It is contemplated thatthis medial buffer layer 34 can be in the form of a metallic ornon-metallic sheet, a metallic-type coating, a non-metallic-typecoating, various coatings that can be deposited through physical vapordeposition, spray-coatings, polymer-based coatings, elastomericcoatings, rubberized coatings, combinations thereof, and other similarbarrier-type materials that can maintain the base adhesive 30 separatefrom the outer adhesive 32.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-8, the outer adhesive 32 can take the form ofany one of various adhesives. Typically, the outer adhesive 32 will haveelastic properties to allow for minimal movement of the inner liner 16and outer wrapper 18 with respect to the trim breaker 14. Theseadhesives can include, but are not limited to, silicone adhesives,polyurethane adhesives, polymer-type materials, other silicone-typematerials, combinations or hybrids thereof, and other similar materialsthat have a certain amount of elasticity to allow for movement of theinner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18 with respect to the trim breaker 14during formation of the cabinet 20 and also during the life of theappliance 22. It is contemplated that the outer adhesive 32 has a robustattachment strength and also permeation resistance, such that if thebase adhesive 30 experiences a de-lamination phenomenon, the outeradhesive 32 may be sufficient to the at least partial vacuum within theinsulating cavity 28. Additionally, the outer adhesive 32 can define aprotective layer that limits permeation to prevent significant amountsof humidity, gas 72 and vapor from reaching the base adhesive 30.

According to the various embodiments as exemplified in FIGS. 2-8, it iscontemplated that an insulation material 68 can be disposed within theinsulating cavity 28. Additionally, at least one of the inner liner 16and outer wrapper 18 can include a gas port 70 that is used to expressor expel gas 72 from the insulating cavity 28. In this manner, theinsulating cavity 28 can define an at least partial vacuum 74 thereinfor increasing the insulating functionality of the cabinet 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-10, typically, the inner liner 16 and outerwrapper 18 are disposed within the base adhesive 30 before the medialbuffer layer 34 and the outer adhesive 32 are disposed over the baseadhesive 30. Accordingly, portions of the base adhesive 30 disposedwithin the insulating cavity 28 between the inner liner 16 and outerwrapper 18 may be substantially inaccessible. In various embodiments,the medial buffer layer 34 and the outer adhesive 32 are disposed,typically, at an outside surface 80 of the outer wrapper 18 and at aninside surface 82 of the inner liner 16. In this manner, the medialbuffer layer 34 and the outer adhesive 32 extends from an outside edge84 of the trim breaker 14 to an outside surface 80 of the outer wrapper18 and also from an inside edge 86 of the trim breaker 14 to an insidesurface 82 of the inner liner 16. In such an embodiment, it iscontemplated that at least a portion of the insulation material 68 canat least partially engage the base adhesive 30 within the insulatingcavity 28. At these outer portions of the trim breaker 14, the outeradhesive 32 is free of direct contact with the base adhesive 30. Ingeneral, where the base adhesives 30 are chemically incompatible or atleast partially incompatible, the medial buffer layer 34 will beinstalled therebetween such that the outer adhesive 32 is free of directcontact with the base adhesive 30. To maintain the spacing andpositioning of the trim breaker 14 and the channel 12, a pedal 100 holdsthe trim breaker 14 in a substantially fixed position.

In various embodiments, it is contemplated that the inner liner 16and/or outer wrapper 18 can include a dedicated port that can be usedfor disposing the outer adhesive 32 and/or the medial buffer layer 34over the base adhesive 30 and within the insulating cavity 28.Typically, the outer adhesive 32 and the medial buffer layer 34 will bedisposed only proximate the exterior surface 90 of the cabinet 20 andbetween the trim breaker 14 and the inner liner 16 and the trim breaker14 and the outer wrapper 18. In this position, the compositeencapsulation system 10 that incorporates the base adhesive 30, theouter adhesive 32 and, in certain embodiments, the medial buffer layer34, is positioned to significantly reduce the permeation of gas 72 andvapor into the insulating cavity 28. In turn, the compositeencapsulation system 10 extends the duration of the at least partialvacuum 74 within the insulating cavity 28 and prolongs the life of theinsulating functionality of the cabinet 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, having described various aspects of thecomposite encapsulation system 10, a method 400 is disclosed for formingan insulating cabinet 20 for an appliance 22. According to the method400, a base adhesive 30 is delivered while in an uncured state 44 into achannel 12 of a trim breaker 14 (step 402). A liner edge 24 of the innerliner 16 is disposed into the channel 12 so that the adhesive base inthe uncured state 44 surrounds both sides 46 of the liner edge 24 withinthe channel 12 (step 404). A wrapper edge 26 of an outer wrapper 18 isalso disposed into the channel 12 so that the base adhesive 30 in theuncured state 44 surrounds both sides 46 of the wrapper edge 26 withinthe channel 12 (step 406). The base adhesive 30 is then cured (step408). An outer adhesive 32 can be disposed over the base adhesive 30(step 410). It is contemplated that the outer adhesive 32 covers theadhesive base and engages the outer wrapper 18 and inner liner 16 at thetrim breaker 14. The outer adhesive 32 is then cured to define thecomposite encapsulation system 10 (step 412). The base adhesive 30 andthe outer adhesive 32 each define structural and sealing components ofthe composite encapsulation system 10 that cooperate to reduce thepermeation of gas 72 and vapor into the insulating cavity 28 of thecabinet 20. According to various aspects of the method 400, asexemplified in FIGS. 1-11, an insulation material 68 can be disposedwithin the insulating cavity 28 defined between the inner liner 16 andthe outer wrapper 18 (step 414). Gas 72 can then be expressed from theinsulating cavity 28 and the insulation material 68 defined within theinsulating cavity 28 (step 416). In this manner, the expression orexpulsion of gas 72 from the insulating cavity 28 defines an at leastpartial vacuum 74 therein. The base adhesive 30 and the outer adhesive32 are at least partially elastic to provide for an at least partialmovement of the inner liner 16 and the outer wrapper 18 without damagingor degrading the integrity of the encapsulation system 10. This movementis permitted while also maintaining the hermetic seal between the innerliner 16 and the trim breaker 14 and between the outer wrapper 18 andthe trim breaker 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10 and 12, a method 500 is disclosed forforming an insulating cabinet 20 for an appliance 22. According to themethod 500, a base adhesive 30 is delivered in an uncured state 44 tothe liner channel 40 and the wrapper channel 42 of the trim breaker 14(step 502). The liner edge 24 of the inner liner 16 is disposed into theliner channel 40 (step 504). In this manner, the base adhesive 30 in theuncured state 44 and within the liner channel 40 is allowed to surroundboth sides 46 of the liner edge 24 within the liner channel 40. Thewrapper edge 26 of the outer wrapper 18 is disposed into the wrapperchannel 42 (step 506). Accordingly, the base adhesive 30 in the uncuredstate 44 which is disposed within the wrapper channel 42, surrounds bothsides 46 of the wrapper edge 26 within the wrapper channel 42. The baseadhesive 30 within the liner and wrapper channels 40, 42 is cured todefine a structural adhesive component and also includes a sealingfunction for limiting permeation of gas 72 and vapor into the insulatingcavity 28 of the cabinet 20 (step 508). Once the base adhesive 30 iscured, a medial buffer layer 34 is disposed onto at least a portion ofthe base adhesive 30 in the cured state 48 (step 510). As discussedpreviously, the medial buffer layer 34 is included where the baseadhesive 30 and the outer adhesive 32 have chemical formulations thatmay be at least partially incompatible and may result in degradation ofone or both of the base and outer adhesives 30, 32. After placement ofthe medial buffer layer 34, the outer adhesive 32 is disposed over themedial buffer layer 34 (step 512).

According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-10 and12, typically, the outer adhesive 32 extends from an outside edge 84 ofthe trim breaker 14 to an outside surface 80 of the outer wrapper 18 andalso extends from an inside edge 86 of the trim breaker 14 to an insidesurface 82 of the inner liner 16. The outer adhesive 32 is then cured(step 514). The outer adhesive 32, once cured, cooperates with the baseadhesive 30 and the medial buffer layer 34 to define a compositeencapsulation system 10 having the structural adhesive capability andalso sealing capability. Each of the base adhesive 30 and the outeradhesive 32 have structural and sealing components that limit permeationof gas 72 and vapor into the insulating cavity 28, even after a failureof one of the base and outer adhesives 30, 32. The combination of thebase and outer adhesives 30, 32 defines a greater resistance topermeation of gas 72 and vapor. Accordingly, the outer adhesive 32 maybe adapted to include a greater resistance to degradation ordelamination during exposure to the outside atmosphere surrounding thecabinet 20 as compared to the base adhesive 30.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10 and 12, the method 500 includes a step 516of disposing insulation material 68 within an insulating cavity 28defined between an inner liner 16 and the outer wrapper 18. Theinsulation material 68 can be disposed within an insulating cavity 28during installation of the inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18. In suchan embodiment, the insulation material 68 can be disposed between theinner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18. The inner liner 16, outer wrapper18 and insulation material 68 can then be disposed as a unit into thechannel 12, or channels 12 of the trim breaker 14. It is alsocontemplated that the insulation material 68 can be disposed around theinner liner 16 after the inner liner 16 has been disposed within theliner channel 40 of the trim breaker 14. The insulation material 68 canthen be disposed around the inner liner 16 and the outer wrapper 18 canthen be disposed around the insulation material 68 to dispose theinsulation material 68 within the insulating cavity 28. The insulationmaterial 68 can also be disposed within the insulating cavity 28 afterthe composite encapsulation system 10 has been fully formed and cured.In such an embodiment, one of the inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18can include an insulation port through which an insulating material canbe poured, blown, or otherwise disposed within the insulating cavity 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10 and 12, after installation of theinsulation material 68, gas 72 can be expressed from the insulatingcavity 28 in the insulation material 68 defined within the insulatingcavity 28 (step 518). This expression or expulsion of gas 72 serves todefine an at least partial vacuum 74 within the insulating cavity 28. Itis contemplated that the base and outer adhesives 30, 32, as well as themedial buffer layer 34, can have some elastic properties, such that thecomposite encapsulation system 10 permits at least partial movement ofthe inner liner 16 and outer wrapper 18 while maintaining the hermeticseal between the inner liner 16 and the trim breaker 14 and between theouter wrapper 18 and the trim breaker 14.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that thecomposite encapsulation system 10 described herein can be incorporatedwithin various appliances 22 and fixtures that utilize a vacuuminsulation structure. Such appliances 22 can include, but are notlimited to, refrigerators, freezers, coolers, ovens, water heaters,dishwashers, laundry appliances, combinations thereof, and other similarappliances 22 and fixtures disposed within household and commercialsettings.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merelyfor illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of thedevice, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An appliance comprising: an outer wrapper; aninner liner; a trim breaker having a channel that receives at least oneof a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner edge of the innerliner; a composite encapsulation system that seals an insulating cavitydefined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner, the compositeencapsulation system including a base adhesive and an outer adhesive,wherein the base adhesive defines a structural adhesive component andthe outer adhesive defines a sealing adhesive component wherein the baseadhesive is an epoxy adhesive.
 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein thechannel includes a wrapper channel that receives the wrapper edge and aseparate liner channel that receives the liner edge.
 3. The appliance ofclaim 1, wherein the outer adhesive is capable of being applied afterthe base adhesive defines a cured state.
 4. The appliance of claim 1,wherein the base and outer adhesives are separated by a medial bufferlayer and the medial buffer layer prevents contact between the base andouter adhesives.
 5. The appliance of claim 4, wherein the outer adhesiveis injected over the medial buffer layer.
 6. The appliance of claim 5,wherein the medial buffer layer is a solid member that is disposed overthe base adhesive.
 7. The appliance of claim 5, wherein the medialbuffer layer is a spray-applied material.
 8. The appliance of claim 5,wherein the base adhesive bonds to a lower surface of the medial bufferlayer and the outer adhesive bonds to an upper surface of the medialbuffer layer to define the composite encapsulation system as amonolithic adhesive.
 9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the innerliner and the outer wrapper are metallic and the trim breaker isplastic.
 10. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the insulating cavitydefines an at least partial vacuum.
 11. The appliance of claim 1,wherein the outer adhesive includes at least one of a silicone adhesiveand a polyurethane adhesive.
 12. The appliance of claim 1, wherein aninsulation material within the insulating cavity at least partiallyengages the base adhesive.